CVE-2021-4228 is a medium-severity vulnerability that affects the IAC-AST2500 firmware from Lanner Inc. This vulnerability allows an attacker to perform Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks due to the use of hard-coded TLS certificates by default, which undermines the security provided by HTTPS connections. The issue is particularly concerning as it can be exploited without the need for high privileges or significant user interaction.
The vulnerability was published on October 24, 2022, and has been classified as having a CVSS score of 5.8. This indicates a medium level of severity, which necessitates timely attention from affected organizations. The potential for exploitation underscores the importance of addressing this vulnerability promptly.
Organizations that utilize the affected firmware (version 1.00.0) should prioritize remediation efforts to mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability. Implementing the recommended patches and updates will help secure systems against possible exploitation.
Risk to organizations includes exposure to data interception and unauthorized access, which could lead to significant operational and reputational damage. Consequently, organizations are advised to assess their environments for this vulnerability and take appropriate actions.
Vulnerability Details
The official description for CVE-2021-4228 states that the use of hard-coded TLS certificates by default allows an attacker to conduct Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) attacks even when HTTPS is used. This vulnerability affects Lanner Inc IAC-AST2500A standard firmware version 1.00.0.
This vulnerability has a CVSS score of 5.8, indicating a medium severity level. The attack vector is classified as network-based, with a high attack complexity, meaning that attackers would need to have certain conditions met to exploit it. Notably, no privileges are required to exploit this vulnerability, but user interaction is necessary.
The vulnerability is associated with CWE-321 (Use of Hard-coded Cryptographic Key) and CWE-798 (Use of Hard-coded Credentials), which highlight the security flaws related to hard-coded credentials and keys.
Technical Analysis
The root cause of this vulnerability stems from the hard-coded TLS certificate, which fails to provide sufficient security assurances. Attackers may leverage this weakness to intercept communications between the users and the server, effectively conducting MitM attacks. The attack vector is network-based, requiring that the attacker be able to position themselves within the network traffic path.
The attack complexity is high, which indicates that a successful exploit may necessitate specific conditions, such as detailed knowledge of the network and the ability to manipulate traffic. No privileges are required for exploitation, and while user interaction is typically required, it could be circumvented under certain circumstances.
The confidentiality impact is low, as the attacker may not gain full access to sensitive data without further exploitation. However, the integrity and availability impacts are also low, although the potential for unauthorized access remains a concern. Organizations must consider these factors when evaluating the risk posed by this vulnerability.
Risk & Impact Analysis
Real-world deployment risk associated with this vulnerability is significant. The potential for attackers to intercept and manipulate data during transmission can lead to unauthorized access and data breaches. This is particularly concerning for organizations handling sensitive information, as the implications of such breaches can be severe.
Why this matters to organizations is clear: the ability for attackers to execute MitM attacks can result in compromised system integrity and confidentiality. Moreover, the blast radius could extend to numerous users and systems if exploited, amplifying the threat landscape.
Given the CVSS score of 5.8 and its classification as a medium severity vulnerability, organizations should address this in their priority patch cycle. A proactive approach will mitigate the risks associated with this vulnerability and protect against potential exploitation.
Exploitation Status
Signal | Status |
|---|---|
Known Exploit | No |
Public PoC | No |
Actively Exploited | No |
Ransomware Use | No |
Affected Versions
The affected product is the IAC-AST2500 firmware, specifically version 1.00.0. If version information is not available, organizations should consider all versions prior to the vendor patch as vulnerable.
Mitigation & Remediation
Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability immediately. The vendor has recommended updates, which should be applied as soon as possible to eliminate the risk of exploitation. In addition to applying patches, organizations can enhance their security posture by implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect any unauthorized access attempts.
For further guidance, organizations are encouraged to engage in penetration testing to identify any remaining vulnerabilities in their systems.
Detection Guidance
Detection mechanisms should include monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns that may indicate MitM attempts. Log entries should be reviewed for anomalies, and alerts should be set for any unauthorized changes to the firmware or configurations.
AppSecure Threat Intelligence Insight
The long-term significance of CVE-2021-4228 lies in its representation of vulnerabilities arising from inadequate security practices, such as hard-coded credentials. This highlights the need for organizations to adopt secure coding practices and conduct regular security assessments.
As organizations increasingly rely on connected devices, the trend of vulnerabilities in firmware will likely persist. Security teams must be vigilant in monitoring their environments and adapting their security strategies to address these emerging threats.
For organizations looking to bolster their security posture, consider exploring our services for application security assessment and offensive security testing to identify and remediate vulnerabilities effectively.
Lastly, organizations should ensure compliance with security standards and frameworks, which can help in creating a robust security environment.
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
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